“Fully expected”: this is how Sarandos describes the hostile bid that Paramount has launched in an attempt to get Warner Bros. shareholders. Discovery to change horses after all. “But we have made a deal, and we are incredibly happy with it,” Sarandos sounded confident on Monday evening. “It’s a great proposition for shareholders, and great for consumers. We think it’s a great way to create and protect jobs in the entertainment industry. We’re confident it will work. So we’re ready.”
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 05: The Warner Bros. logo is displayed at Warner Bros. Studio on December 5, 2025 in Burbank, California. Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. have announced an $82.7 billion deal for Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. film and TV studios, HBO Max, and HBO. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) © Getty Images via AFP
Cinemas in particular fear the takeover of Warner Bros. by Netflix: “Unprecedented threat”
Netflix announced on Friday that it had closed a deal worth 82.7 billion dollars (about 71 billion euros) to acquire the studios and streaming division of Warner Bros. to take over Discovery. Paramount responded on Monday with a hostile bid of 108.4 billion dollars (about 93 billion euros) for the entire company, including television channels.
Counter-offer from Paramount to buy Warner Bros is the opportunity for Trump to silence the critical CNN
Behind Paramount’s counteroffer are several financial partners, including from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is striking that the son-in-law of American President Donald Trump is also involved through his company Affinity Partners. Trump had already expressed doubts about the deal with Netflix on Sunday. He warned that the streaming platform already occupies a large share of the market, which could potentially raise competition concerns. Trump said he would personally intervene in the review.
